Well Water in Fairfield County: What to Test and Why

Groundwater in Fairfield County contains lead, manganese, and iron that well owners should monitor. Several of these contaminants--including chloride, iron, lead, manganese, and sulfate--exceed EPA health standards and warrant attention.

These metals and minerals come from the rock layers beneath the county. As groundwater moves slowly through cracks and fractures in the bedrock, it dissolves iron and manganese naturally present in the stone. Lead can also enter from older well components. Chloride and sulfate leach from minerals in the rock itself.

Groundwater in this county is very hard, driven by elevated calcium and magnesium, along with high iron and moderate sulfate. The slow movement of water through the bedrock allows these minerals to concentrate in the water. These characteristics are widespread across wells in the county.

Wells in Fairfield County commonly contain chloride, iron, lead, manganese, and sulfate at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Lead damages children's brain development and nervous system function, and poses risks to adults' kidneys and blood pressure with long-term exposure. Manganese can affect how your brain works and may harm children's learning and behavior over time. Chloride and sulfate at elevated levels can cause digestive problems and other health effects with repeated exposure.

Your water is extremely hard, which means you will see thick white crusty buildup on pipes, faucets, and fixtures. Iron at these levels will stain your sinks, toilets, and laundry orange-brown. Sulfate can give your water a rotten-egg smell. This extreme hardness can shorten the lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, and other appliances. The high sodium levels may also affect your water's taste.

We recommend testing your well right away with a comprehensive metals and minerals panel, since multiple contaminants exceed health standards. Every well is different, and your water may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your well so it can be properly treated. Water softeners combined with iron and manganese filters can address these concerns.